"The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats Book Review and Pre-K Lesson Plan

Author:
Carolyn Augustine
Updated:
Sep 28, 2023 2:29 PM EDT

"The Snowy Day" book review and preschool lesson plan

Elegant and Simple: A Review

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, first published in 1962 by The Viking Press, has the simplicity of a haiku poem. The story is about Peter, a boy who lives in an apartment in the city, and his adventures in the snow. Peter is an appealing "every child" in this story, as the author leads us through Peter's journey of discovery while he plays.

Peter crunches the snow with his feet, makes footprints and tracks through the snow, and drags a stick in the snow. Peter is momentarily disappointed when the big boys don't include him in their snowball fight, and so instead, he builds a snowman, makes snow angels, and slides down a snow mountain. Peter ends his full day of snow play by taking a warm bath and thinking of his adventures.

The Snowy Day is elegant in its simplicity. It will resonate with anyone who has ever played in the snow until they are frozen from head to toe. In his pointy-hat snowsuit, Peter is adorable on every page, and young children will delight in his play. For those in hot climes, this snow story will make you yearn for what you're missing. And for those who have a bit too much snow, the story is a timeless reminder of why children love it so.

Author Ezra Jack Keats also illustrated this book. The illustrations of snow are simple and stylized, with Peter's bright red snowsuit the central focus. The warm colors used in the patterns and textures on Peter's pajamas, on his red wallpaper, and on his mother's dress create the feeling of a loving and nurturing home in contrast with the cool colors used to depict the scenes of crunching snow and swirling clouds. I wonder if the scenes depicting Peter in his red snowsuit with his faceless playmates were inspired by the author looking out the window of a city apartment building, only to spot a child just like Peter at play!

The Snowy Day won the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1963. The book not only tells a fine story but also features the first African American main character to be depicted in a children's picture book. This groundbreaking book was followed by several others written by Keats, including A Whistle for Willie, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, and Goggles.

The Snowy Day is also available in a dual-language version with both English and Spanish text, appropriate for language learners. This title is in the must-own children's classics category and is a strong recommendation for reading and owning. It is featured on the National Education Association's "Teacher's Top 100 Books for Children" list.

Ezra Jack Keats' work paved the way for all children to see themselves in children's picture books.

Keats was a pioneer in depicting children of different ethnicities in his children's stories. His work paved the way for every child to see themselves in picture books, and not just white children, as was common during the 1960s.

An excellent Ezra Jack Keats autobiography for children is shared on the Ezra Jack Keats web page, telling the story of Ezra Jack Keat's career as a children's book author and illustrator and sharing his inspiration from scenes in Brooklyn, New York, where he lived and worked.

Author Ezra Jack Keats worked first as a graphic artist, then a comic book illustrator, then a children's book illustrator, and finally an author.

Themes/Motifs

Playing in the snow
Winter
Outdoor play
Caldecott Award Winner
Play
Child's day
Dressing for the weather

Pre-K Lesson Plan

Use The Snowy Day in a themed unit about winter weather, snow, the seasons, or play. Keep reading for music ideas, movement activities, and recommended companion books about playing in the snow.

Barney the Dinosaur, the popular hit children's program from the 1990s, featured live actors who sang along with a lovable life-size dino. The second verse of "All the Raindrops" features snow and is a fun sing-along. Here's the second verse. If All the Snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes, Oh what a snow that would be! I'd stand outside with my mouth open wide (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) Oh, what a snow that would be.
The little tune called "Once There Was a Snowman." is an action song that includes growing tall and melting in the sun. Pretend to stand "tall, tall, tall" and as the snowman shrinks in the sun, bend your knees and melt into the ground. This song is short and simple, so it is perfect for 2-4-year-olds.
"I'm a Little Snowman" is performed to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot." Miss Nina performs this song in the following video with a great deal of enthusiasm. This song is just a little more complicated than the previous song.
"The Snow Song" featured last is a peppy, fun song with lyrics that would probably be complicated for small children to learn. But this video would be a great addition to a multimedia story time and I would invite children to free dance to this tune, which celebrates the joys of playing in the snow.

Preschool Movement Ideas

Children love to follow the leader in a story that requires them to do the actions with you. So create your own action story based on the things that Peter does in the story The Snowy Day. You can use the following as a guideline or adapt to make your own Snowy Day action story.

Swirling Snowflakes

Have you ever noticed that snowflakes spin and dance in the air? Put on some quiet music and have children spin and twirl like snowflakes. Expect some giggling because they will get dizzy!

Take a Walk in the Snow, a Guided Movement Activity

It's time to wake up! (Yawn and stretch and rub your eyes)
Ohhh, snow! (Raise your arms in the air in big surprise)
Time to get our coat and hat (Pretend to put on your coat, followed by your hat)
Oops! Don't forget your gloves! (Pretend to put on gloves)
Ooh, it's cold! Let's stomp our feet in the snow (stomp, stomp, stomp)
I can take my stick and make a line in the snow (drag your pretend stick on the ground)
Time to make snowballs! (Pretend to scoop some snow from the ground and make the snowball in your hands.)
Wow, it tastes cold (Stick out your tongue and taste your snowball.)
I hear Mom calling! (Put your hand to your ear)
Time to go inside and have a nice warm cup of chocolate! (Pretend to run to the door, and take a pretend glass.)
That was delicious! Mmm good! (Pat or rub your tummy and shake your head up and down.)

Children play in the snow.
Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

Activities and Explorations

Weather permitting, put on your coats and gloves, and play in the snow! Build a snowman, make a snow angel, and crunch the snow with your boots. Have fun!
Art exploration. Ezra Jack Keats loved to paint as a child. Give children black or dark blue paper and white tempera paint, and suggest they paint something that they liked about the book The Snowy Day.
Create a texture painting of snow using cotton balls. Glue cotton balls to a dark blue background.

Other Children's Books about Snow and Snow Play

A Perfect Day for It by Jan Fearnley features adorable animals walking through the woods. This story features lots of onomatopoeia with the sounds the animals make while walking. At the end, they all go sledding down the hill.

Snow by Cynthia Rylant and Lauren Stringer featureS many different types of snow and all of the fun and cozy ways that children can experience it.

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert is an art collage picture book with simple text that accompany show-stopping photo images. The story is about a family of snow people.

Other Books by Ezra Jack Keats

Keats authored or illustrated over 85 books for children during his lifetime. He passed away in 1983.

Here is a small selection of some of his works.

My Dog Is Lost: The first picture book Keats authored and illustrated, this book follows the journey of young Juanito as he searches through different parts of New York City.
A Whistle for Willie: In this story, young Peter is trying to learn to whistle for his dog, Willie. This book is part of Richard and Linda Eyre's Joy School Curriculum.
Peter's Chair: When Peter's baby sister is about to arrive, everything that used to belong to him is suddenly pink! But Peter tries to rescue his chair as he adapts to the change of a new sibling.
Goggles!: Young Peter and his friend find a pair of goggles outside, but a couple of neighborhood bullies try to take them away.
The Pet Show: Archie decides to enroll the nearby cat into his neighborhood pet show but can't find the cat anywhere!
A Letter to Amy: Peter writes a letter to Amy about his birthday party, but the wind blows it away.

More Snow-Themed Ideas for Preschool

50 Amazing Snowman Craft Ideas
This winter, try out these snowman craft ideas that are perfect for kids, preschoolers, and adults. You could even make these DIY projects with the intent to sell them at craft shows. Enjoy!
Snow-Themed Preschool Lesson and Activities for "Sno...

Comments

Carolyn Augustine (author) from Tractor Town, Iowa on May 24, 2012:

Thanks Debby. If I remember correctly, this was one of the first children's books I reviewed on hubpages, if not THE first, because I feel the same way you do about it. It is also just a lovely story. Best!

Debby Bruck on April 28, 2012:

Hi Western ~ This one story has a lot of memories for me as a young college student studying to be an elementary school teacher. The teacher marked Ezra Jack Keats award winning book as a milestone in children's literature and illustration. Thanks for highlighting this book for the new generation. Blessings, Debby